Caretaker manager Karl Hawley had special words of praise for his Boston United players following Saturday’s 2-0 win at Leamington.

The 35-year-old also praised former manager Adam Murray, who had been unable to guide the Pilgrims to an away league win inside the opening eight matches on the road this season, for his input despite leaving the club a week earlier.

First half goals from Brad McGowan and Ashley Hemmings handed United a deserved away success which was their first on the road in league action since March 18 at Worcester City.

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“It’s fantastic for everybody involved in the club and even the ex-manager, because a lot of his hard work went into that,” reflected Hawley. “The boys were fantastic and put in a great shift.

“In the first half, we played some excellent stuff and then in the second half we had to hang on for a little bit but managed to get three points and a clean sheet, which is a bonus.”

McGowan’s third minute opener arrived after home goalkeeper Tony Breeden had been unable to claim one of Sam Muggleton’s trademark long throws. It was a goal that pleased Hawley, particularly after adapting the way United attacked Muggleton’s torpedo-like throws.

“We slightly changed the set-up for the long throws,” added Hawley. “We got the lads to start at the back post and work around Gregg [Smith] and we managed to get a second ball. That’s how you score from a long throw because you are unlikely to score from the first header.”

Ashley Hemmings found the net against Leamington (Image: Tim Hoff)

Hawley, who is expecting to remain in caretaker charge for Saturday’s home clash against Stockport County, revealed that chairman David Newton made a rare visit to the dressing room after the final whistle to add his own congratulations on a memorable away day.

He added: “It’s been a tough couple of months and the chairman got in and around the lads to say well done. He can see their attitudes have never wavered and they thoroughly deserved three points.”

The Pilgrims’ second goal arrived from the penalty spot eight minutes before half-time when James Mace brought down Harry Vince in the box and Ashley Hemmings fired home a spot-kick for the second Saturday in succession.

United keeper George Willis came to the fore after the break, making a handful of decent saves to keep Leamington at bay, but the Pilgrims were not unduly troubled as they held on to record a rare away success.